Plans for more student housing in Claypath rejected by Durham County Council

Durham County Council rejected plans to turn the floor of an office into a student housing property in the popular student area of Claypath.

The property location is around halfway up Claypath hill, located almost opposite to popular restaurant Bistro Italiano.

According to Durham County Council’s current regulations, planning is considered on the basis that these plans would negatively impact the economy.

A statement read: “There is a need for additional student accommodation. Developers should demonstrate what specific need the proposal is aimed at and why this need is currently unmet; It would not result in a negative impact on retail, employment, leisure, tourism or housing use or would support the council’s regeneration objectives ; and partnership working with the relevant education provider.”

It was not just local individuals protesting against the planning, as important organisations such as the City of Durham Trust and the City of Durham Parish Council also objected. The parish council described the planning as a “disguised House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).” Their concerns cited possible infringements of quality of life and community balance.

Initially, assessment of the planning was recommended project approval, subject only to the conditions of material matching and construction hours. However, the final decision of the council refused the planning, noting possible “adverse impact on the amenity of existing residents” and creating “community imbalance” due to the already existing high number of student properties.

Student properties in Durham City continue to be a concern for local residents in terms of pricing, community culture and noise. Meanwhile, student properties in Durham City continue to be a concern for students due to the limited supply demonstrated by the housing crisis of the previous three years. This conflict of interest is part of an old yet ongoing debate about student presence in the town – and this planning is not the first nor the last to highlight it.

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Featured image via YouTube